Anti-inflammatory glycoprotein compositions and method of use

ABSTRACT

Glycoproteins obtained from the microbial bodies of at least one type selected from the group consisting of Pneumococci, Micrococci, Streptococci, Neisseria, Staphylococci, Klebsellia, Pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae, or from a mixture of at least two of the said strains, or an association of different types of the same microbial species, having a molecular weight of 1,000,000 or more, a content of combined hexoses between 60 and 65%, a content of protides of about 9%, a ratio of combined hexoses to protides of about 7, a molecular volume Ve/VO as determined through a gel of Sephadex G 200 of 1.0 to 1.2 in relation to a buffer having a pH value of 8, a content of Alpha -amine nitrogen between 1 and 2 %, and a migration by electrophoresis in density gradient comprised between Alpha proteins and Beta -proteins and their preparation.

United States Patent Hirsch et al.

[ Dec. 30, 1975 ANTI-INFLAMMATORY GLYCOPROTEIN COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD OF USE Inventors: Jean Hirsch, Paris; Jean Pierre Buret, Osny, both of France Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 330,403, Feb. 7, 1973, Pat. No. 3,855,197, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 38,482, May 18, 1970, abandoned.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 20, 1969 France 69.16297 Feb. 15, 1972 France 72.05016 [52] U.S. Cl. 424/177 [51] Int. Cl. A61K 37/00 [58]. Field of Search 424/177, 92; 195/29; 260/112 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,529,057 9/1970 Tsuchiya et a1 424/92 3,532,790 10/1970 Greenberg et a1. 424/92 3,567,822 3/1971 Sarbach et a1 3,855,197 12/1974 Hirsch et al. 424/177 Primary ExaminerLewis Gotts Assistant ExaminerReginald J. Suyat Attorney, Agent, or Firml-lammond & Littell [57] ABSTRACT Glycoproteins obtained from the microbial bodies of at least one type selected from the group consisting of Pneumococci, Micrococci, streptococci, Neisseria, Staphylococci, Klebsellia, Pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae, or from a mixture of at least two of the said strains, or an association of different types of the same microbial species, having a molecular weight of 1,000,000 or more,a content of combined hexoses between 60 and 65%, a content of protides of about 9%,

a ratio of combined hexoses to protides of about 7, a

molecular volume Ve/VO as determined through a gel of Sephadex G 200 of 1.0 to 1.2 in relation to a buffer having a pH value of 8, a content of a-amine nitrogen between 1 and 2 and a migration by electrophoresis in density gradient comprised between a-proteins and B-proteins and their preparation.

6 Claims, No Drawings ANTI-INFLAMMATORY GLYCOPROTEIN COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD OF USE PRIOR APPLICATION .our copending, commonly assigned application Ser.

No. 38,482 filed May 18, 1970, now abandoned.

STATE OF THE ART A great number of preparations of microbic origin constituting microbic bodies lysated by chemical or physical means are known in the literature. Examples of these are French special medical patents (BSM) No. 5488 M, No. 6495 M and No. 6513 M. the said microbic lysates, alone or associated with an antibiotic or a polar solvent serve to release a rapid immunizing reaction or to enhance the defenses of the organisms against a microbic aggression. These lysates generally are derived from a determined microbic species and give a specific rather than general immunization. Moreover, they possess the disadvantage of being generally allergenic and their repeated use cannot be advised for this reason.

These lysates also form mixtures of varied protein fractions such as lipoproteins, mucopolysaccharides, nucleoproteins, etc., of which some fractions are immuno-active and some are inactive. The administration of such mixtures may induce indesirable side effects. The one skilled in theart, therefore, for therapeutic purposes desired a purified fraction of such a lysate which was the truly active principle. The purified fractions were expected to have rapid and sufficiently prolonged broad spectrum immunity.

The first attempt to solve this problem was tried by Lalouette [Revue dlmmunologie, Vol. 32 (1968), p. l05150 starting with a somatic antigen extracted from a strain of Bacillus Subtilis L. The glycoprotein fraction'obtained possessed a certainnon-specific antigenic activity as well as antiinflammatory activity.

OBJECTS or THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to obtain glycoprotein extracts of one or more saprophyte or pathogenic strains with pronounced and broad immunizing and very intense anti-inflammatory activities.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel process for the preparation of the said glycoprotein extracts.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel therapeutic compositions and novel method of inducing immunization in warm-blooded animals, treating inflammations and stimulating the reticulo-endothelial system. 7

It is an additionalobject of the invention to provide a novel method of preventing bacterial infections in warm-blooded animals.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become obvious fromthe following detailed description.

TI-IE INVENTION of Pneumococci, Streptococci, Neisseria, Micrococci, Staphylococci, Klebselliae Pneumoniae and hemophilus influenzae and from a mixture of at least 2 of the said strains or an association of different types of the same microbial species having a molecular weight of at least 1,000,000, a content of at least 50%, preferably 60 to 65%, of combined hexoses, a protide content of about 9%, a ratio of combined hexoses to protides of about 7, a molecular volume Ve/VO as determined through Sephadex G 200 gel of 1.0 to 1.2 in relation to a buffer with a pH of 8, an a-amine nitrogen content of 1 to 2% and a migration by electrophoretic density gradient comprised between a-proteins and fi-proteins.

The protein substances of the invention are not derived from an extract of a particular, non-pathogenic strain but are derived from an extract of one or more saprophytic or pathogenic strains by chemical, physical or diastatic lysis of the microbial bodies followed by extraction of the microbial cellular content. The glycoprotein fraction thus obtained possesses a much more pronounced and rapid and much more general i rnmunizing power and a much more intense anti-imflammatory activity. The products have the further advantage of not being allergisants, nor hyperthermisants and in not provoking intolerance phenomena at the point of injection.

Beginning from determined experimental conditions, one or more molecules of a glycoprotein nature can be isolated which molecules are responsible for the antigenic and anti-inflammatory properties of microbial preparations. This fraction is believed very different from that of Lalouette because of the distinct origins of the microbial cultures.

The invention allows one to obtain a purified standardizable fraction whose immunizing action against pathogenic agents can be reproduced and whose content of active glycoproteins can be precisely determined by chemical, physical, immunological and bacteriological tests. As far as the effected studies can prove, the glycoproteins obtained under these bacteriological conditions are a mixture of slow aand B-glycoproteins. This structure is shown by the electrophoretic behavior in relation to reference glycoproteins, particularly in relation to seric glycoproteins.

The chemical nature of these substances is also indicated by chemical reactions such as their content of hexoses and pentoses, by the approximate identification of molecular weight using agents in selective chromatography such as modified celluloses, sephadex or molecular sieves, by their content of protein fraction in the molecule determined by biuretogenic power, calculated with reference to a serum albumin standard, by the content of hexosamines and of sialic acid. The fraction formed by the glycoproteins obtainedby starting from one or more of the said strains can be defined as being constituted of slow aand B-glycoproteins which are heat stable, acid soluble and soluble in ammonium sulfate solutions.

The molecular weight of the aand B-glycoproteins can be determined by chromatography on sephadex. Filtration chromatography determines the molecular volume (Ve/VO) which represents the ratioof the volume of solvent required for desorption of glycoproteins (Ve) to the volume of solvent required for elution of a large molecule completely excluded from a gel of Sephadex G (V0). The molecular volume (Ve/VO) for the glycoproteins obtained by Example I is between 2.5 and 3.0 in reference to a buffer solution 3 of pH 8 consisting of a mixture of 0.1 M of tris-(hydromethyl)-amino methane and 0.1 M of sodium chloride.

The molecular weight of the aand B-glycoproteins can also be estimated by chromatography on Sephadex G 200. The molecular volumes (Ve/VO) of the glycoproteins obtained by Examples II to VII is between 1 and 1.2 in reference to the said buffer solution. I

The glycoproteins can also be defined by the amount of combined hexoses determined by a specific reaction such as the colored reaction with orcinol. By those determinations, the glycoproteins obtained in Example I have a content of combined hexoses between 4 and 20 gm per 100. This content varies depending upon the degree of purification of the tested fraction and the quantity of mineral salts contained in the glycoprotein fraction.

The glycoproteins obtained in Example II have a combined hexoses content of about 50% for the product incompletely freeof mineral salts and about 60% for the product completely free of mineral salts. The glycoproteins can also be defined by the ratio of combined hexoses content to biuretogenic power. The content of biuretogenic substances, determined in relation to a serum albumin standard, of the glycoproteins of Example I is on the order of 10%. The combined hexoses to biuretogenic power ratio varies between 0.25 and 2 as a function of the degree of purity. For the glycoproteins of Example II, the said ratio is less than or equal to 3.

The glycoproteins are finally defined by their solubility characteristics. In distilled water, they give a slightly opalescent solution which is not denatured by heating. The glycoproteins are soluble in solutions of perchloric acid, trichloroacetic acid and phytic acid. Particularly, the glycoproteins can be recovered without denaturation from a phytic acid solution having apI-I of 2.10.

On the other hand, the glycoproteins can be defined by the intensity of their anti-inflammatory activity determined by standard tests such as experimental edema caused by carraghenin. The anti-inflammatory activity is parallel to thepurity of the glycoprotein fraction. Finally, it is possible for the glycoprotein to contain a specific pentose and particularly fucose.

The novel process of the invention for obtaining the glycoprotein consists essentially of cultivating in a solid or liquid medium a microbial strain selected from the group consisting of Pneumococci, streptococci, Micrococci, Neisseria, Staphylococci, Klebselliae Pneumoniae and Homophilus Influenza and mixtures of two or more of said strains or an association of different types of strains and after complete development, harvesting the microbial bodies manually or automatically, suspending the microbial bodies in an aqueous medium, proceeding with chemical, physical and/or enzymatic lysis of them, separating the debris of the microbial bodies, evaporating the resulting clear solution, subjecting the residue to the action of one or more lipid solvents, dissolving the delipidized residue in an aqueous solvent to remove from the residue proteins which are made insoluble by chemical or physical means, eliminating the precipitated proteins and selectively precipitating from the residual aqueous mixture free from proteins the desired slow glycoproteins by addition of a water-miscible solvent or a mixture of such solvents, and if necessary purifying the slow glycoproteins by fractionating on a selective support.

The slow glycoproteins thus obtained are derived from microbial'cultures in a solid or liquid medium such as an enriched or non-enriched nutrient agar in a Petri dish or cultivated in shakers or in industrial fermenters in a liquid medium. After complete development of the microbial strain or strains, they are harvested manually or automatically and the microbial bodies are suspended in an aqueous media eventually in the presence of a buffer such as a solution of disodium phosphate or in the presence of an antiseptic such as thimerosal. The resulting suspension is titrated by photometry to determine the concentration of bacterial bodies so that the concentration can be adjusted to the desired titre and the suspension of microbial bodies are then subjected to lysis. This lysis may be effected in various ways, such as by chemical means, such as addition of a surface active agent, i.e. a sorbate of polyethylene-glycol, or an antiseptic or by physical means with the aid of ultrasonics or by heatingor by a penetrating radiation or by the aid of an enzyme by addition of porteolytic or polymucosaccharolytic enzymes or any other means by which the microbial cellular content can be recovered with change and in as complete a way as possible.

The lysis of the microbial bodies can be mixed. A mixed lysis can be defined as being successively effected by means of a proteolytic enzyme such as trypsin, papain, bromelain, a-chymotrypsin or pronase, or a polymucosaccharolytic enzyme such as lysozyme or hyaluronidase followed by a chemical agent such as organo-mercurial antiseptics, trichloroacetic acid, phytic acid or perchloric acid. Instead of trypsin, pancreatin'or streptokinase or streptodornase may be used.

The degree and quality of the microbial lysis can be followed by photometry and when the lysis is judged to be satisfactory, a conservation or stabilizing agent may be added. The resulting bacterial lysate is present as an aqueous preparation eventually buffered and from which the debris of the microbial bodies is precipitated. The debris can then be removed by conventional means such as filtration or centrifuging.

The glycoproteins of the invention can then be extracted from this lysate freed of microbial bodies. The extraction is effected on the residue obtained by evaporation or by lyophilization of the lysate. The residue is delipided with one or more solvents such asethyl ether, acetone or a mixture of methanoland methylal and the operation can be eventually repeated. The resulting delipidized powder is then put back into an aqueous solution.

The delipidation can be effected in two stages. In the first operation, the microbial lysate can be extracted with a mixture of methanol and methylal to dissolved the major part of the lipids, phospholipids and lipoproteins since the glycoprotein is insoluble in the mixture and can therefore be separated. The second delipidation is effected by refluxing in an oxygenated solvent which completes the extraction of the active fraction. The glycoprotein fraction thus isolated is only contaminated by more or less denatured proteins and mineral salts.

The said solution may be deproteinated by physical or chemical means. The deproteinization may be effected by heating the solution after the pH has been adjusted to about 5, preferably between 5 and 6. The deprote'inizationmay also be effected by simple heating or cooling or by addition of solvents or by biochemical defecation. The deproteinization is preferably effected 5 by cooling to a temperature slightly above C. This method has the advantage of simultaneously eliminating the proteins and a large part of the mineral salts.

The precipitate of proteins or nucleoproteins may be removed by filtration or centrifugation and the clear solution which is recovered consists essentially of a mixture of mineral salts and glycoproteins. The glycoproteins are selectively precipitated by adding to the solution one or more water-miscible solvents such as a mixture of acetone and ethanol or a mixture of methanol and methylal. The glycoprotein precipitate formed is separated, washed with the same solvents and dried.

The glycoprotein fraction is finally'purified by a selective method of biochemistry such as dialysis; chromatography on silica or cellulose, electrophoresis, ult'ra-centrifugation, etc., to obtain a very enriched glycoprotein fraction free of mineral salts. A last purification is ensured by filtration through a column of chemically modified cellulose, such as ethyl-cellulose, dimethylaminoethylcellulose, of appropriate mesh and molecular weight.

The preferred method consists of filtering of glycoprotein fraction solution through a column of Sephadex G 200 whereby the active fraction is not absorbed and can, therefore, be selectively separated. The active fraction obtained contains only a small amount of impurities such as mineral salts or nucleoproteins. These impurities can be removed by the addition of manganese salts or quaternary ammonium salts such as Zephirol or Cetavlon to obtain a still more pure glycoprotein fraction. The glycoproteins of the invention can be obtained in a practically pure state but this final purification is not necessary-but only desirable.

In the preferred process of the invention, the following variables are preferred: l The microbial strain or strains are selected from the group consisting of Pneumococci siro types I, II, 111, V and VIII; Streptococci group A, C and G; Neisseria catarrhalis; Staphylococci aurei, Klebsellia Pneumoniae and Homophilus Influenza; (2) the lysis of the microbial bodies is effected by the addition of a surface-active agent or of an organomercurial antiseptic or by a mixed process of first an enzymatic lysis, then a chemical lysis effected by a combination of a surface active agent and a mercurial antiseptic such as sodium mercuriethyl thiosalicylate and the lysis is effected over a period of 8-15 days at a moderate temperature of about 40C; (3) the delipidation is effected by extraction with ethyl ether or acetone or with a mixture of methanol-methylal and may be completed with a second extraction with an oxygenated solvent such as acetone; (4) the deproteinization of the delipidated product is effected by physical means in an acid or neutral medium by heating such as up to 100C or in the cold and the acid may be trichloroacetic acid; (5) the selective precipitation of the slow aand fi-glycoproteins is effected by addition of a mixture of methylal and methanol to an aqueous solution or by the addition of a mixture of acetone and alcohol to an aqueous solution, for example by the addition of a mixture of acetone and alcohol to an aqueous solution with a ratio of l to 20 volumes of the latter mixture per one volume of aqueous solution and (6) the slow aand fi-glycoproteins may be purified by dialysis through a cellulose membrane, than by chromatography over Sephadex 200 followed by elution.

In a preferred process of the invention, the slow aand fl-glycoproteins are further purified and therefore are more active. This is effected by eliminating for the most part protein degradation products that still remain in the mixture and in this way obtain a final product in an extremely purified form. This modification comprises subjecting the slow aand B-glycoproteins obtained above to diafiltration in aqueous solution with one or more membranes calibrated who are used as molecular sieves separating the inactive or slightly active fraction, then recovering the very pure slow aand B-glycoproteins retained by the membrane of the diafiltration cell, subjecting the latter to chromatography over a hydrophilic polymeric gel and recovering the non-fixed fraction.

Preferably, the membranes of reticulated selective permeability are those sold under the tradename Amicon XM 300 and selective permeability membranes are sold under the tradenames Amicon XMSO, PM 30 and UM 2. The hydrophilic polymeric gel is preferably Sepharose 6B or Sephadex G 200.

The slow ozand fi-glycoproteins obtained by this modification of the process have a molecular weight equal to or greater than 10 daltons, a combined hexose content of 60 to 65% and a ratio of hexose to proteic substances of about 7. The combined hexose content is generally about 62% and because of the difficulties in the standardization of the sugar measurement, the content varies between 60 and 65% without it being possible to stretch the conclusion of the purity of the fraction.

The therapeutic compositions of the invention are comprised of slow aamd ,B-glycoproteins produced by the above described process and an inert pharmaceutical carrier. The compositions may be in the form of powders, pomades, lotions creams, nose drops, ear drops, injectable solutions, lyophilized sterile powders for injections, sublingual tablets, aerosols, suppositories or ovules prepared in the usual manner. For example, the slow aand B-glycoproteins may be dissolved in an aqueous solvent to which is then added a preservative or a thickening agent or an adhesive agent or emulsifier to obtain the desired form. The composition can also contain an agent for obtaining better diffusion in the tissues such as a polar solvent.

The therapeutic compositions have immunizing and anti-inflammatory properties and their property to stimulate the reticulo-endothelial system make them useful for increasing the defensive capacities of the organism. They have a rapid antigenic power and thereby increase the organisms resistance towards microbial aggression.

The anti-inflammatory properties of the compositions make them particularly useful for the treatment of osteoarticular affections, of infections of the respiratory system, of chronic affections of the respiratory tract, if infections of the higher respiratory tract, against veinopathologics and in phlebology, for the treatment of troubles resulting from infection of genital or urinary tract. These properties make them useful also in dermatology.

The antigenic properties of the compositions make them useful for the treatment of acute bronchitis, dermatitis, burns, microbial infection of the genito-urinary organs and in stomatology. The combination of anti-inflammatory and antigenic properties of the compositions are particularly beneficial in the treatment of osteo-articulary affections where the inflammatory phase is often accompanied by an autolysis phase producing auto-sensibilication phenomena.

The novel method of the invention for the treatment of inflammations, inducing immunization in warmblooded animals and stimulating the reticulo-endothelial system comprises administering to warmblooded animals a safe and effective amount of aand B-glycoproteins as described above. The said glycoproteins may be administered topically, percutaneously, transcutaneously, perlingually or permucuously. The usual daily dose is dependent upon the method of administration.

In the following examples there are described several preferred embodiments to illustrate the invention. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments.

EXAMPLE 1 A lysate obtained by starting with a liter of culture concentrate of the following strains: l /cc of Pneumococci, l0 /cc of Streptococci, l0 /cc of Micrococci Catarrhalis, X l0 /cc of Staphylococci, 5 X l0 /cc of Klebsellia Pneumoniae and 5 X 1O /cc of Hemophilis Influenza was added to sodium merthiolate and the mixture was concentrated in vacuo to a syrupy consistency of a final volume of about 160 cc. The residue was then dissolved in about 5 times its volume of iced acetone and the mixture was filtered to recover the insoluble fraction which was introduced into the thimble of a Soxhlet extracter. The residue was then continuously extracted with boiling acetone for 8 hours and then was extracted with ethyl ether. The resulting degreased solid fraction weighed between 20 and 30 gm and was removed from the extracter and dried at 37C. The dried solid is dissolved in distilled water to obtain a 20% (weight-volume) solution which was then held at 4 C for 24 hours during which an abundant cyrstalline precipitate formed consisting mainly of sodium sulfate and sodium phosphate. The supernatant liquid was collected by filtration and the filtrate was then heated at 100C for 30 minutes and the protein precipitate formed was removed by centrifuging.

The clear supernatant liquid contains essentially the glycoprotein fraction which was precipitated by additions of a mixture of equal parts of ethanol and acetone. A flaky precipitate developed in 65 minutes and was removed by centrifuging and was dried at 37C to obtain 2 to 4 gm of glycoprotein fraction. This fraction was purified by dissolution in water to a concentration of 20% and the resulting solution was subjected to dialysis against water. The resulting solution was dried by lipophilization to obtain a very pure glycoprotein fraction of 1.4-1.5 gm. An aqueous solution of the said fraction was filtered through cellulose Sephadex G 200 and elution was with a buffer solution of a pH of 8 to obtain about 0.15 gm of the purest glycoprotein fraction. This fraction was constituted of slow aand B- glycoproteins and included 20% of combined hexoses. Its content of biuretogenic substances, determined by serum albumin reference, was 10%.

EXAMPLE 2 A culture medium consisting of 5 gm of meat extract, 5 gm of casein peptone, 5 gm of yeast autolysate, 3.5 gm of dipotassium phosphate, 1.5 gm of monopotassium phosphate, 10 gm of glucose and cm of phytone in distilled water to make one liter of solution was prepared and the pH of the solution was adjusted to 7.4-7.6. The solutions of glucose and phytone were introduced at the time of seeding after the solution was sterilized for 20 minutes. A culture of Klebsellia Pneumoniae on an agar medium was diluted with 10 cc of culture broth with added glass marbles and after disintegration, the product was mixed with 50 cc of broth. The resulting solution was used for inoculation by siphoning for the rest of the culture broth which was then maintained at 37C and a pH of 7.4-7.6 by automatic adjustments. An anti-foaming agent was added as a precaution and the flow of air and speed of agitation were regulated to optimum conditions.

The growth of the germs was estimated by a photometer and the number of germs was calculated as a fraction of the optical density measured in comparison with a standard curve. The culture required about 7 hours for complete development at which time the cultures contained about 120 billion germs per cc.

Lysis At the end of the culture period, 'y/cc of lysozyme hydrochloride dissolved in a few cc of sterile salt water were added to the culture and after standing in contact together for 1 hour at 56C, the sterility was controlled and a 2.5% solution of sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate and a solution of 33% polyethylene glycol sorbate (Tween 80) were added. The lysis proceeded under sterile conditions for 8 to 15 days at 40C.

Extraction The liquor resulting from the lysis was concentrated in a rotating evaporator in vacuo or by lyophylization to about one third of its volume to obtain a crude, dark-colored product of very thick consistency. If desired, the microbic bodies can be removed by centrifuging before the concentration which is then effected with the supernatant liquid.

Delipidation The concentrated liquor was slowly suspended in 5 volumes of a mixture consisting of 1 volume of methanol and 4 volumes of methylal at room temperature and with strong agitation. A thick, strongly colored and sometimes agglomerated precipitate progressively formed and the supernatant liquor also had a brown color. The precipitate was allowed to settle for 15 minutes and the largest portion of the supernatant liquid was drawn off and the solid fraction was filtered and dried in vacuo. The precipitate was washed twice with 5 volumes of acetone, was then suspended in a minimum volume of acetone and was then transferred to the holder of a continuous extraction apparatus. The fraction was extracted for 3 days with acetone after which the heating was stopped and the solid fraction was recovered from the holder. The glycoprotein fraction at this stage of purification was a more or less agglomerated powder of brown or tan color.

Deproteination The delipidized glycoprotein fraction was dissolved in 4 times its weight of water and held for 3 days at 4C in a refrigerator. A shiny mass of denaturated protein compounds and a crystalline mass of mineral salts and mainly alkali metal phosphates were formed. The reaction mixture was filtered through a paper or gauze filter to remove the solid fraction and the filtrate was then centrifuged.

light yellow colored glycoprotein per liter of culture medium.

EXAMPLE 3 The procedure-of Example [I was repeated with a glycoprotein fraction derived from Pneumococci except that the inoculum had added thereto 3.5% of a supplementary nutritive solution. This solution consisted of 250 gm of bakers yeast in 2000 cc of distilled water which was boiled for minutes with continuous agitation, warm filtered through a paper filter and after adding 40 gm of glucose to 100 cc of the solution, it was diluted with distilled water up to 1000 cc. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 8 and was then sterilized for l hourat 110C. The culture time was about hours and the medium contained I20 billion germs per EXAMPLE 4 The procedure of Example III was repeated with a Streptococci culture and the time of the culture was 20 hours and it contained 100 billion germs per cc.

EXAMPLE 5 The procedure of Example II was repeated with a Staphylococci culture and the'pH was maintained at 7.2. The culture time was 7 hours and the medium contained 80 billion germs per cc. The following stages were identical to those described in Example 1!.

EXAMPLE 6 The procedure of Example II was repeated with a Neisseria Catarrhalis culture and the medium was enriched at the time of seeding with the addition of a 3% sterile ascite liquid. The pH of the culture medium was adjusted to 7 and the culture time was hours. At the end, the culture content was 80 billion germs per cc.

EXAMPLE 7 The procedure of Example II was repeated with a mixture of microbial strains consisting of 120 X 10 of Pneumococci, 80 X IQ of Staphylococci,'l00 X 10 of Streptococci, 120 X 10 of Pneumococci, 80 X 10 of Neisseria Catarrhalis and 120 X 10 of Klebsellia Pneumoniae and the yield of the active glycoprotein fraction was about 8 gm.

EXAMPLE 8 I 10 from the aqueous solution with a methylal-methanol mixture and washing of the precipitate with methanol.

The extract obtained was clear and soluble in aqueous media, was not precipitated from a trichloroacetic acid media at a concentration of 10% (parts by volume), with 0.6 N perchloric acid or with 3.6 M ammonium sulfate at a pH of 7.0 and 15C. A partial precipitation was obtained by addition of manganese sulfate or cetyl pyridinium chloride. The principal constituents of the bacterial extract were evaluated and the dosages were indicated notably a content of combined neutral hexoses of 26 to 32% depending upon the lot of 6.2% of a-amine nitrogen.

2 g of slow ozand ,B-glycoproteins obtained by the above described procedure were dissolved in 400 ml of water and the resulting solution was introduced into a dialysis cell sealed with an Amicon XM 300 membrane.

The solution was maintained in constant agitation and under a slight pressure (0.7 bar) and dialysis proceeded with constant displacement of the equilibrium of the dialysis with compensation of filtrate volume. Distilled water was added to keep a constant volume which was supplied in a continuous and considered manner so that the diafiltration operation was terminated when the total diafiltration volume was equal to or greater than 10 times the initial volume. The residue in the'diafiltration cell was recovered and was chromatographed over Sepharose 68 gel. The fraction not fixed on the said gel was recovered and was dried by lyophilization.

Equally operable in several steps is first effected a diafiltration in a dialysis cell containing an Amicon PM 30 membrane, then a second dialysis cell containing an Amicon 50 X membrane and finally a third diafiltration in a cell containing an Amicon XM 300 membrane to obtain, after chromatography with Sepharose 6G gel and lyophilization of the excluded fraction, a fraction identical to that obtained after a sole diafiltration membrane.

The obtained slow aand B-glycoproteins (retained by the XM 300 membrane and excluded by Sepharose 6B gel) had a molecular weight equal to or greater than 10 daltons. The macromolecular substances had a composition superior in hexoses than the less pure fraction obtained in Examples l and [I and is generally in the neighborhood of 62%. The content of a-amine nitrogen, on the other hand, is lower 1.6%) and inferior to the fractions of Examples [and II.

The slow aand B-glycoproteins of this Example are not partially disassociated by an 8M urea solution or by solutions of reducing agents. On the other hand, the lower molecular weight molecules separated in the course of the diafiltrations, are able to reassociate spontaneously when the disassociation agent is eliminated. Nevertheless, the macromolecules obtained de novo are different from the slow 0:- and B-glycoproteins retained by the Amicon XM 300 membrane so subjecting the slow aand B-glycoproteins to the action of diverse enzymes (pronase, trypsin, pancreatin, hyaluronidase) followed by fractionalization with membranes verifies that only a small part of the macromolecules are sensitive to enzymes and that the pharmacological activity is not sensibly modified.

The yield of the purification described in this example is about 30 to 35% and the slow aand B-glycoproteins obtained contain a combined hexose content of about 62% and a proteic substance content in the neighborhood of 9% and the ratio of combined hexoses to proteic substances is near 7. Yet interpretation is 1 1 made difficult by the fact that the standardization of orcinol colorations are not based on real sugars contained in the slow aand B-glycoproteins but arbitrarily in mannose and galactose.

STRUCTURE STUDY Acid hydrolysis under reduced pressure permits placing in evidence the different constituents of the molecule after separation with a cellulose membrane. Thus, the evidence shows a very great variety of amino acids that differentiate the slow aand B-glycoproteins from pepitidoglycanes and osamines and it verifies the presence of glucose, galactose and mannose among the sugars. It does not establish the presence of ribose.

After alkaline hydrolysis that causes a rupture of O-osidyles chains, study of the fragments formed shows that the long glycanic chains are attached to small proteic links. Therefore, successfully a molecule of glycoproteic nature is attested to by the macromolecular nature, by resistance to proteolytic enzymes and by resistance to lipolytic enzymes (lipase, pancreatin) and does not act by other means as a mucopolysaccharide since it is not precipitated with cetyl pyridinium chloride. Electrophoresis density gradient at a pH of 8.2 in the presence of a sodium barbital buffer principally shows a peak of 01-3 mobility.

PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY A. Allergenic Activity The study of the sensibilizing action of the products of the invention was effected with the technique of Landsteiner. Three lots of 6 guinea pigs received intradermically and for successive days the following: (1) 0.05 cc of a 1% solution of pure glycoprotein fraction; (2) 0.05 cc of a 0.5% solution of pure glycoprotein fraction; and (3) 0.05 cc of double distilled water. After the final injection, the animals were allowed to rest for 10 days.

The animals then received an injection capable of producing an allergic or anaphylactic reaction. To accomplish this, half of the animals in each lot received intradermically 0.1 cc of a 1% aqueous solution of the test product and the other half of each lot received intravenously 0.5 cc of a 0.l% aqueous solution of the test product. In the animals treated intradermically, evolution of skin pimples was observed in the next 48 hours during which no allergic reaction, usually shown by the appearance of petechiae or pustules, was observed. No difference was seen between the treated animals and the control animals.

In the animals treated intravenously, their behavior was observed for minutes after the injection and after the 24th hour, they were examined for the possible appearance of edema of the anaphylatic type. No abnormal phenomena was observed in the control animals or the treated animals and no edema was observed in hind paws nor in the abdomen nor restlessness in 12 their behavior nor dyspnea phenomena. These results lead to the conclusion that the product appears devoid of any allergic effect.

B. Acute Toxicity The acute toxicity was determined on 3 animal species. The test products were administered to lots of mice, rats and rabbits and after 8 days of observation, the LD was graphically determined from the number of dead animals. The results are reported in Table I.

TABLE 1 Method of LD Animal Species Administration Mice Oral More than lg/ Kg subcutaneously More than 500 mg/Kg Rats subcutaneously More than 200 mg/Kg Rabbits Subcutaneously More than 50 mg/Kg C. Toxicity of Pulmonary Method D. Local Tolerance The test product was administered subcutaneously in the dorsal region of mice at a dose of 50 mg/Kg in 0.2 cc volume. After 48 hours of observation, the animals showed no signs of intolerance either locally or generally. At an autopsy, no signs of inflammation in the subcutaneous tissue was found and no difference between the treated and control animals was seen and resorption was normal.

E. Anti-Inflammatory Activity Determination l. Podal Edema with Carraghenin The anti-inflammatory activity of the product of Example I was studied when administered intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly and locally. 0.05 cc of a sterile suspension of 1% carraghenin was administered to the tibio-tarsus joint of the hind paw of male rats having an average weight of to l5O gm. The test product was administered 48 hours, 24 hours and 1 hour before, at the same time and 1 hour after injection of the phlebogenic agent. The volume of the paw was measured by plethysmography 3 hours, 5 hours and 24 hours after the start of inflammation. The difference in the volume of the paws of the treated animals and control animals shows the anti-inflammatory activity of the product. The results are shown in Table ll.

TABLE II Percentage of Regression in Relation to Controls Method and Doses of Administration Administration before Phlebogenic Agent Administration 1 hour after Phlebogenic Agent Administration at the same time as Phlebogenic Agent 1 hour TABLE II-continued Percentage of Regression in Relation to Controls Method and Administration at Administration the same 1 hour Doses of time as after Administration Administration before Phlebogenic Agent Phlebogenic Agent Phlebogenic Agent mg/kg 30% Subcutaneously 50 mg/kg 10% Intram'uscularly 100 mg/kg 41% 18% 48% 50% 50 mg/kg 50% 28% 20 mg/kg 40% 20% 10 mg/kg 18% 10% Locally 10 mg 70% 0% Measurements taken: '5 hours after start of inflammation 24 hours after start of inflammation In all other cases, measurements taken 3 hours after inception of inflammation.

TABLE V-continued Table III compares the protection against mflammation with the glycoprotein fractions of Examples I Prmecm CmPaIed w/cmtmls Doses in 1 hour before At the same time and II relatlve to the edema of the paws of the control mg/kg 3 hr 24 hr 3 hr 24 hr ammals' 25 50 37% 0% s1 27 TABLE III Fraction of Fraction of Dose in mg/kg Example I Example II 3. Granuloma Test w1th Cotton 3h 5h 3h 5h This test used a similar technique of that of Singer 2 71% 61.5% 74% 74% 30 [Proced. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.,Vol. 92 (1956), p.23] as 1 57% 52% 59% 61% modified Arth et a1. [J.A.C.S., Vol. 80 (1958), p. gig: 30% $2132 42% 3161]. Female rats having an average weight of 100 to 0.2 47.5% 44% 53% 5% 120 gm received a subcutaneous bilateral ventral im- (58% 43% plantation of 4 pellets of cotton weighing about 5 mg. 0.1 (39% 38% (57% 46.5%

(44% (45% The product of Example I was then daily admlnistered 0.05 30% 15% 36% 27% The glycoprotein fraction of Example II is more active and has a more prolonged anti-inflammatory activity than the product of Example I, even at the remarkably low dose of 0.05 mg/kg.

The anti-inflammatory activity of glycoprotein fractions-obtained from other strains was also determined 2. Pedal Edema with Kaolin The test for podal edema due to kaolin was effected under the same conditions as in test I. The product of Example I was administered introperitioneally one hour before and at the same time as the phlebogenic agent, kaolin and the results are summarized in Table V.

TABLE V of Protection Compared w/Controls Doses in I hour before At the same time mg/kg 3 hr 24 hr 3 hr 24 hr peritoneally at a dose of mg/kg for 8 consecutive days with the first administration being immediately after the implantation. The rats were killed on the 8th day and the pellets and the covering of granuloma tissue was excised and weighed. After deducting for the weight of the cotton, the weights of the fresh and dried granulomal formed in the female rats was expressed as a percentage of control granulomae. As a comparison product, delta cortisone was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 5 mg/kg. The results are shown in Table VI.

4. Pulmonary Edema with Acrolein Female rats of Wistar strain weighing to 200 gm were subjected to controlled aerosol sprays of acrolein. The rats were divided into 3 groups: (1) animals subjected to no treatment; (2) animals having been subjected to aerosols of acrolein; and (3) animals having been subjected for 4 days to an aerosol treatment of 10 minutes per day of a 0.1% solution of the test product in physiological serum and then was subjected to an aerosol of acrolein. 24 hours after treatment, the animals were killed and autopsied to remove the lungs and bronchial tubes. They were weighed fresh, then dried 15 and the weight per 100 gm of living weight were determined. The results are shown in Table VII.

The results show that the product of the invention has a very important regression of pulmonary edema due to acrolein if preventively administered by aerosols in very weak concentrations. No signs of bronchial inflammation were noted.

5. Podal Edema with Hemolysin a An escarriform edema was invoked in the paw of a rat by injection of 0.1 cc of a solution titrating 10 U.I. of hemolysin a of staphylococci per cc. In the first hours following the injection, the appearance of an important edema was observed which became aggravated later and after 24 hours complicated by tarsal hemorrhages and hemolytic scabs. The slow aand B-glycoproteins of Example I were administered before and after the hemolysin or injection intraperitoneally, intramuscularly and locally. The paw was measured 3 hours, 5 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after the injection and the results are shown in Table VIII.

TABLE VIII The results show that when administered by the pulmonary, the compounds of the invention give a consida erable protection against podal edema caused by carraghenin even at very low doses.

7. Immunizing Power The immunizing power was studied on mice inoculated with a suspension of pyogenic Streptococci, strain 5-61, digonnet 7. The Streptococci culture was prepared in buffered glucose broth. The suspensions were adjusted by nephelometry according to classical techniques. The resulting preparation was administered intraperitoneally to the animals at a dose of 100 mg/Kg by injection of 0.5 cc per 20 gm of body weight of an adjusted aqueous solution. The product was administered 24 and 96 hours before innoculation with the following dilution of Streptococci: 10, 10", 10, 10*, and 10. The results are shown in Table X.

The survivors were observed for an additional 8 days to verify that the results after 96 hours were constant. The product itself had no anti-bacterial power but had an important immunizing power as the LD was reduced to 0 and the LD were reduced to about the of PROTECTION Administration before Injection of Hemolysin Administration after injection of Hemolysin Doses Administered 7 days 24 H Intraperitoneal Slow a-B-glycoproteins 100 mg/kg Intramuscular Slow a-B-glycoproteins mg/kg Local Slow a-B-glycoprotein 10 mg/kg 49% 84% Measures taken at 3 hours 5 hours 24 hours "48 hours 6. Pulmonary Anti-Inflammatory Activity Rats were subjected to a 10 minute aerosol treatment of a 0.1% solution of the test product in physiological serum for 3 consecutive days and then a pedal edema was caused in the treated animals with carraghenin and was compared with control animals. The paw was measured 2,3,4 and 5 hours after the phlebogenic agent injection and the results are shown in Table IX.

TABLE IX protection compared to Time in Hours controls F. Anti-Inflammatory Activity TABLE XI DA. in mg/Kg Phlogogenic Agent ,Carragheniri TABLE XI-continued Phlogogenic Agent DA. in mg/Kg Kaolin 0.5 Ovalbumin 1 Hemolysin 0.2

The slow aand B-glycoprotein of Example 2 (glycoprotein A) and the slow aand B-glycoprotein of Example 8 (glycoprotein B) were compared by podal edema caused by carraghenin and were compared with commonly used anti-inflammatory agents. The results are reported in Table XII.

TABLE XII Anti-Inflammatory Agent DA in mg/Kg Indomethacine 2 Deltacortisone 5 Phenylbutazone 50 Glycoprotein A 0.05 Glycoprotein B 0.025

G. Stimulation of Non-Specific Defenses This stimulation was studied by the so called clearance of carbon test on mice which was inspired by the technique of Halpern. The tests consists injecting a suspension of colloidal carbon into the ocular sinus of the animal and appreciating as a function of time the kinetics of disappearance of carbon in the blood by effecting measurements of optical density. The products were administered intraperitoneally to the animals 24 and 48 hours before the test and the results are expressed as a percent of activity compared to controls after a single injection of colloidal carbon. The results are reported in Table XIII.

TABLE XIII Dose in activity Controls Glycoprotein m'g/Kg 8 min. after 30 min. after injection injection A l 50 81 B l 52 84 A 0.5 46 77 B 0.5 45 82 The results of Table XIII show that the two products provoke an intense stimulation out of the organism defenses.

H. Antibacterial Activity of Glycoprotein B I A dose of l'y/Kg of glycoprotein A respectively of glycoprotein B assured a 90% protection against Klebsiella pneumonia, a 30% protection. against Staphylococci and at a dose of 20'y/Kg, 77% protection against Staphylococci. The antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia varies depending upon when the slow aand B-glycoproteins are administered. When administered 48 hours before infection, at the time of infection and 48 hours after infection, the percent of protection with glycoprotein B is 100, 55 and 10%, repsectively and possesses a clearly preventive antibacterial activity.

CLINICAL STUDY The glycoprotein fractions of Example 2 were used in the form of a cream containing 2% by weight of the active principle and was used in comparison with Synalar cream. The two products were applied to a symmetrical limb and to a reasonably equal skin surface. The symptoms observed were: acute skin inflammation, primititive or secondary as acute or subacute eczema, dryness or keratosic, contact dermatitis, professional dermatites, dyshidrosis, superficial burns and leg ulcers. Moreover, in the case of infections, the test product were administered after use of the anti-infectious drugs to speed up the healing. Also, some' patients were treated at once with the cream containing the glycoprotein fraction to avoid the use of the usual local anti-infectious agents.

Definition of the Results Very good total rapid healing and superior to that given by Synalar used on another lesion of the same patient.

Good The results were equal in quality and speed to those obtained with Synalar.

Fairly good Complete or practically complete healing but slower than with Synalar Null No changes observed in the treated lesions Clinical Results A hospital doctor treated 30 patients for the indications given above with the test cream and with Synalar. In two cases, the results were null, in 24 cases the results were good and in 4 cases the results were very good. There were no indications of intolerance or allergic reaction or recurrence.

A second doctor in his private practice and at his dispensary treated 30 patients for the above symptoms in comparison with Synalar. The results obtained were 2 null, 8 fairly good, 16 good and 4 very good and no indications of intolerance, recurrence or allergic reactions were observed.

A third doctor in private practice treated 15 patients for the above symptoms in comparison with Synalar. The results obtained were 3 null, 2 fairly good, 5 good and 3 very good. In this study the good results were obtained with 2 leg ulcers which healed rapidly and 2 dysidrosis which healed after having resisted other treatments. In one case considered good, the clinician estimated the results as unintrepretable when taken in context and the therapeutic association used.- In one case, the product was not tolerated and the treatment was interrupted. The tolerance of the product was always good except in one case where an erythema appeared but the treatment had been done with occlusive dressings. In the 15 patients, no signs of allergic reaction or recurrence was observed.

A fourth doctor in a hospital treated 40 patients with the above symptoms in comparison with Synalar. The results obtained were 6 null, 10 fairly good, 14 good and 10 very good. In the 6 null cases, the clinician estimated that there were very heavy lesions and it is not known what the results of other treatments would have been since the improvement with Synalar was only very slight. Therefore, it is believed that the failures are not due to the product. The tolerance was perfect and in one case, a sensation of skin dryness was noted and in one case a burning sensation was noted. However, no objective lesion was detected on the 2 patients. No signs of allergenic reaction or recurrance were noted.

In summary, out of 1 15 patients, 2 results were uninterpretable, 11.6% were null, 17.3% were fairly good, 51.3% were good and 18.1% were very good. Only one case of local erythema was noted with the use of occlusive dressings and a case of subjective skin dryness and a case of burning sensation without apparent objective lesions were noted. In all cases, there was no allergeric reaction or recurrance.

Various modifications of the products and processes of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit or scope thereof and it is to be understood that the invention is to be limited only as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An anti-inflammatory composition comprising an effective amount of glycoproteins extracted from at least one type of microbial bodies selected from the group consisting of Pneumococci, Streptococci, Neisseria, Micrococci, Staphylococci, Klebsellia Pneumoniae and hemophilus influenzae and from a mixture of at least 2 of the said strains or an association of different types of the same microbial species, said glycoproteins having a molecular weight of at least 1,000,000, being thermo stable and soluble in perchloric acid, phytic acid, ammonium sulfate and trichloroacetic acid, having a content ofat least 50% of combined hexoses, a biuretogenic substance content of about 10%, a ratio of combined hexoses to protides of about 7, a molecular volume (Ve/VO) as determined through Sephadex G 200 gel of 1.0 to 1.2 in relation to a buffer with a pH of 8, an a-amine nitrogen content of 1 to 2% and a migration by electrophoretic density gradient comprised between a-proteins and ,B-proteins and acid hydrolysis under reduced pressure shows the presence of glucose, glactose and mannose but not ribose and a pharmaceutical carrier.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the carrier is an agent for improving diffusion in tissues.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the glycoproteins have a 60 to 65 content of combined hexoses.

4. A method of treating inflammation, inducing immunization in warm-blooded animals and stimulating the reticuloendothelial system, which comprises administering to warm-blooded animals a safe and effective amount of glycoproteins extracted from at least one type of microbial bodies selected from the group consisting of Pneumococci, Streptococci, Neisseria, Micrococci, Staphylococci, Klebsellia Pneumoniae and hemophilus influenzae and from a mixture of at least 2 of the said strains or an association of different types of the same microbial species, said glycoproteins having a molecular weight of at least 1,000,000, being thermo stable and soluble in perchloric acid, phytic acid, ammonium sulfate and trichloroacetic acid, having a content of at least 50% of combined hexoses, a biuretogenie substance content of about 10%, a ratio of combined hexoses to protides of about 7, a molecular volume (Ve/VO) as determined through Sephadex G 200 gel of 1.0 to 1.2 in relation to a buffer with a pH of 8, an a-amine nitrogen content of l to 2% and a migration by electrophoretic density gradient comprised between a-proteins and B -proteins and acid hydrolysis under reduced pressure shows the presence of glucose, glactose and mannose but not ribose.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the glycoproteins have a combined hexose content of 50 to 60%.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the glycoproteins are derived from microbial bodies of Klebsellia Pneumoniae and have a combined hexose content of 60 to 65%. 

1. AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY COMPOSITION COMPRISING AN EFFECTIVE AMOUNT OF GLYCOPROTEINS EXTRACTED FROM AT LEAST ONE TYPE OF MICROBIAL BODIES SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF PNEUMOCOCCI, STREPTOCOCCI, NEISSERIA, MICROCOCCI, STAPHYLOCOCCI, KLEBSELLIA PNEUMONIAE AND HEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE AND FROM A MIXTURE OF AT LEAST 2 OF THE SAID STRAINS OR AN ASSOCIATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF THE SAME MICROBIAL SPECIES, SAID GLYCOPROTEINS HAVING A MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF AT LEAST 1,000,000, BEING THERMO STABLE AND SOLUBLE IN PERCHLORIC ACID, PHYTIC ACID, AMMONIUM SULFATE AND TRICHLOROACETIC ACID, HAVING A CONTENT OF AT LEAST 50% OF COMBINED HEXOSES, A BIURETOGENIC SUBSTANCE CONTENT OF ABOUT 10%, A RATIO OF COMBINED HEXOSES TO PROTIDES OF ABOUT 7, A MOLECULAR VOLUME (VE/VO) AS DETERMINED THROUGH SEPHADEX G 200 GEL OF 1.0 TO 1.2 IN RELATION TO A BUFFER WITH A PH OF 8, AN A-AMINE NITROGEN CONTENT OF 1 TO 2% AND A MIGRATION BY ELECTROPHORETIC DENSITY GRADIENT COMPRISED BETWEEN A-PROTEINS AND B-PROTEINS AND ACID HYDROLYSIS UNDER REDUCED PRESSURE SHOWS THE PRESENCE OF GLUCOSE, GLACTOSE AND MANNOSE BUT NOT RIBOSE AND A PHARMACEUTICAL CARRIER.
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the carrier is an agent for improving diffusion in tissues.
 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the glycoproteins have a 60 to 65 % content of combined hexoses.
 4. A method of treating inflammation, inducing immunization in warm-blooded animals and stimulating the reticuloendothelial system, which comprises administering to warm-blooded animals a safe and effective amount of glycoproteins extracted from at least one type of microbial bodies selected from the group consisting of Pneumococci, Streptococci, Neisseria, Micrococci, Staphylococci, Klebsellia Pneumoniae and hemophilus influenzae and from a mixture of at least 2 of the said strains or an association of different types of the same microbial species, said glycoproteins having a molecular weight of at least 1,000, 000, being thermo stable and soluble in perchloric acid, phytic acid, ammonium sulfate and trichloroacetic acid, having a content of at least 50% of combined hexoses, a biuretogenic substance content of about 10%, a ratio of combined hexoses to protides of about 7, a molecular volume (Ve/VO) as determined through Sephadex G 200 gel of 1.0 to 1.2 in relation to a buffer with a pH of 8, an Alpha -amine nitrogen content of 1 to 2% and a migration by electrophoretic density gradient comprised between Alpha -proteins and Beta -proteins and acid hydrolysis under reduced pressure shows the presence of glucose, glactose and mannose but not ribose.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the glycoproteins have a combined hexose content of 50 to 60%.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein the glycoproteins are derived from microbial bodies of Klebsellia Pneumoniae and have a combined hexose content of 60 to 65%. 